8 Hockey Players who Played for Avalanche and Rangers
My guess is you’ve searched this page out because you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
If I’m right, that also means that today’s grid is asking for players who have played for both the Colorado Avalanche and the New York Rangers.
And, I’m also guessing that you’re a little stuck on this particular square and you’re looking for a little help to keep your grid immaculate. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, I’m here to help.
I’ve already done the research and have put together a list of well-known stars along with some more “under-the-radar” players that could land you a low rarity score.
Guy LaFleur
Guy Lafleur’s professional career in the NHL spanned from 1971 to 1991, during which he played for the Canadiens, Rangers, and Nordiques. Lafleur’s NHL career saw him playing 1,126 games, during which he scored 560 goals and made 793 assists, totaling 1,353 points.
Lafleur’s impressive career includes five Stanley Cup championships with the Canadiens, two Hart Trophies as the league’s most valuable player, three Art Ross Trophies as the top point scorer, and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs in 1977.
Lafleur achieved a record of six consecutive seasons from 1974–75 to 1979–80 with 50 or more goals and 100 or more points. His significant contributions to the sport were recognized with an induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
Lafleur Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Canadiens, Rangers, Nordiques)
- Hart Trophy (Canadiens)
- All-Star (Canadiens)
- 500+ Career Goals (Canadiens, Rangers, Nordiques)
- 100+ Point Season (Canadiens)
- 40+ Goal Season (Canadiens)
- 50+ Assist Season (Canadiens)
Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson was selected 3rd overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2005 NHL Draft. He later made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2006-2007 season. Known for his strong skating ability and physical play, Johnson became a steady presence on the blueline for various teams throughout his career.
He played for the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Rangers, accumulating points while contributing significantly in defensive roles.
His play has earned him recognition, including the opportunity to represent the United States in various international tournaments. Johnson’s play is characterized by a blend of offensive skill and defensive responsibility, making him a valuable asset to his teams over the years.
John Ogrodnick
John Ogrodnick was selected in the fourth round, 66th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.
Ogrodnick played 14 seasons in the NHL, primarily with the Detroit Red Wings but also spending time with the New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques. Over his career, he scored 402 goals and added 425 assists for a total of 827 points.
Ogrodnick was named to the NHL All-Star Game in the 1984-85 season and was well-respected for his goal-scoring ability, particularly during that season when he scored 55 goals for the Red Wings.
Ogrodnick Key Stats
- All-Star (Red Wings)
- 40+ Goal Season (Red Wings, Rangers)
- 50+ Assist Season (Red Wings, Rangers)
Theo Fleury
Theo Fleury was a Canadian player, known for his tenacity and scoring prowess despite his smaller stature. He was selected 166th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1987 NHL Draft.
With the Flames, Fleury quickly established himself as a dynamic player, helping lead the team to a Stanley Cup victory in 1989. His fiery playstyle and ability to produce offensively made him a fan favorite in Calgary, where he spent the majority of his career.
After his tenure with the Flames, Fleury had stints with the Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks. Despite facing personal challenges off the ice, including struggles with substance abuse, Fleury managed to compile an impressive career with over 1,000 points in the NHL.
Fleury Key Stats
- 1000 Career Points (Flames, Rangers, Avalanche, Blackhawks)
- Stanley Cup Winner (Flames)
- 40+ Goal Season (Flames)
- 50+ Assist Season
Nick Holden
Nick Holden is a Canadian former defenseman who played 12 seasons in the NHL. He played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Ottawa Senators. He ended his major junior hockey career by signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Holden left the Blue Jackets in 2013 to sign with the Colorado Avalanche. After impressing at training camp, he made the Avalanche’s opening night roster for the 2013–14 season. During this season, Holden scored his first NHL goal and established himself as a key player in the Avalanche’s defense.
In 2018, Holden signed with the Vegas Golden Knights, marking his fifth NHL club. He spent most of the 2020–21 season on the Golden Knights’ “Taxi Squad.” On July 28, 2021, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators, where he played his final two seasons.
Sandis Ozolins
Sandis Ozolins, born in Latvia, is a retired player and coach. Ozolins was drafted 30th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in the 1992-93 season. He quickly became known for his scoring ability, leading the league in goals by a defenseman in his sophomore year.
In the 1995-96 season, Ozolins was traded to the Colorado Avalanche, where he won the Stanley Cup. He set career highs with 68 points in the 1996-97 season and finished third in Norris Trophy voting.
Ozolins’s career included stints with the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and New York Rangers. Ozolins was a seven-time NHL All-Star and the all-time leader for goals, assists, points, and games played by a Latvian in the NHL.
Ozolins Key Stats
- Stanley Cup Champion (Avalanche)
Vladislav Namestnikov
Vladislav Namestnikov is a Russian center currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets. He was drafted 27th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and has since played for several NHL teams, including the Lightning, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, and now the Jets.
Namestnikov’s NHL career began with the Lightning in the 2014-15 season, where he scored his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens. He recorded his first NHL hat-trick in 2016 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Throughout his career, he has been traded several times, including to the Rangers in 2018, the Senators in 2019, the Avalanche in 2020, and the Stars in 2022. He returned to the Lightning in 2022 before being traded to the Jets in 2023. His NHL career statistics include 630 games played, with 115 goals, 146 assists, and a total of 261 points.
Patrik Nemith
Patrik Nemeth, a Swedish defenseman, was selected 41st overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He began his NHL journey with the Stars, debuting with their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. Nemeth made the Stars’ opening night roster for the 2014–15 season but suffered a significant injury early on, leading to a lengthy recovery period.
Nemeth’s career saw him move to various teams over the years. In the 2017–18 season, he was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Avalanche, where he had a breakout season, leading to a one-year contract extension. He later signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings in 2019, and was subsequently traded back to the Avalanche in 2021.
Nemeth then signed a three-year deal with the New York Rangers in 2021, and in 2022, he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes. After his tenth NHL season, Nemeth was placed on unconditional waivers by the Coyotes and bought out from his contract, leading him to return to Europe.
